Pet poisoning from over-the-counter and prescription human medications is much more common than you might think and can be very serious. Pets metabolize drugs differently than humans, and drugs and herbal medicines that are safe for us (and even children) can cause serious poisoning in pets.
Dogs and cats are exposed to human drugs when pill bottles are left where they can find them or when they are accidentally given human drugs. It’s important for guardians to consider their medications when pet-proofing their home.
“Human poisoning also occurs when pet owners attempt to treat their pet with their own medications,” says Dr. Kyla Townsend, BC SPCA veterinarian. “They see their pet is in pain and want to help them, so they give their dog or cat Tylenol or some other over-the-counter medication, not realizing it can be very harmful to pets.”
Although there are a number of human medications that are toxic to your pet, these are five of the most commonly ingested human medications that cause poisoning in pets. If your pet has taken any type of human medication (over-the-counter or prescription), call your vet immediately.
“If your pet accidentally ate some of your medication, bring the bottle with the exact medication and its strength,” says Townsend. “It can be very useful for the vet during treatment.”
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include common names such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Just one or two pills can cause serious harm to dogs, cats, birds and other small mammals (gerbils and hamsters). Taking these drugs can lead to severe stomach and intestinal ulcers and possible kidney failure.
Although acetylsalicylic acid, another NSAID most commonly known as aspirin, is often prescribed by a veterinarian for pain management and clotting prevention, aspirin can cause serious poisoning in dogs and cats if taken improperly.
Signs of NSAID toxicity include:
- Weakness
- lethargy or depression
- vomiting (with or without food)
- Diarrhea
- Dark tarry stool (indicating digested blood)
- Pale gums (indicative of anemia due to blood loss)
- stomach pain
- loss of appetite
paracetamol
Paracetamol can cause serious illness in pets, especially cats. A regular-strength pill can damage a cat’s red blood cells, affecting their ability to deliver oxygen to tissues in their body. In dogs, taking this drug can cause liver failure and, in large doses, damage to red blood cells. Young and small dogs are at higher risk of toxicity.
Signs of paracetamol toxicity include:
- weakness or depression
- Rapid breathing
- High heart rate
- panting
- stomach pain
- vomiting or drooling
- loss of appetite
Antidepressants (SNRIs and SSRIs)
Antidepressants are occasionally used to treat pets, but overdoses can cause serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors, and seizures. They can also have a stimulant effect that can cause dangerously elevated heart rates, blood pressure, and body temperatures in your pets. Cats in particular seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and will often eat the entire pill unless it is taken away from them.
Signs of antidepressant toxicity include:
- Central nervous system depression (including decreased motor activity, incoordination)
- Vomit
- hypersalivation
- Diarrhea
- agitation
- Tremble
- seizures
- hypertension
ADD/ADHD medication
Medications for attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder contain powerful stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. Even small doses of these drugs by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, increased body temperature, and heart problems.
Signs of ADD/ADHD toxicity include:
- pacing
- walk in circles
- inability to sit still
- Increase in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature
beta blockers
Beta blockers are used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat heart disease and regulate blood pressure. Although it is commonly used for cats and dogs, accidental overdose can cause severe poisoning, which can result in heart failure, a drop in blood pressure, a very slow heart rate, and secondary acute kidney failure.
Signs of beta-blocker toxicity include:
- nausea
- Vomit
- Weakness
- collapse
- slowed heartbeat
- lethargy
If your pet has taken an over-the-counter or prescription drug, call your vet immediately.
Tips on how to protect your pets
- Never keep pills loose in a plastic bag. It’s too easy for pets to tear the bags apart. Make sure people visiting your home also keep their medication out of reach.
- Be sure to keep weekly pill boxes in a closet out of reach of your pets.
- To avoid confusing your medication with your pets, never keep them together.
- If you carry medications in your purses, backpacks, etc., keep them out of the reach of your pets.
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